Spatial and temporal characteristics of tropical cyclone strikes in the northeastern Pacific Basin between San Diego, California and Las Peñitas, Nicaragua

A study analyzing 52 years of tropical cyclone (TC) data in the northeastern Pacific Basin reveals distinct hot spots for TC strikes, with regions around Manzanillo, Colima, and Isla Socorro experiencing return periods of 2 years or less. Conversely, areas like Sonora, Central America, San Diego, and northern Baja California face much longer return periods, exceeding 52 years. The research utilized track data from the National Hurricane Center's HURDAT2 and a TC size model to construct time series and calculate strike frequencies, highlighting significant spatial and temporal variations in TC activity. These findings underscore varying coastal risks across the region, providing critical insights for planners, governments, tourism agencies, and investors.

Grondin, N. S., & Keim, B. D. (2020). Spatial and temporal characteristics of tropical cyclone strikes in the northeastern Pacific Basin between San Diego, California and Las Peñitas, Nicaragua. International Journal of Climatology, 41(S1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.6838